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• Work closely with DoD and TRICARE contractors to ensure Prime access stan- dards are met and appointment, specialty care authorization, and referral processes meet beneficiary needs. • Reinstate TRICARE benefits for remar- ried survivors when the second marriage ends. The Veterans Benefits Act of 2002 restored similar VA benefits for survivors of veterans who died of service-connected causes. Military survivors deserve the same consideration. • Upgrade programs and ensure improved DoD policy and implementation for fami- lies with special-needs children. • Increase the annual cap on orthodontia payments under the Dependent Dental Program.
Guard/Reserve health care Promote availability of TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) coverage and seek enactment of legislation to give Selected Reservists the option of having the government sub- sidize continuation of civilian health care coverage during call-ups — just as the gov- ernment already provides up to 24 months of FEHBP premium coverage for activated federal workers. Seek GAO review of TRI- CARE Retired Reserve (TRR) enrollment and outreach procedures and explanation of rates for reservists with TRS who roll over immediately into TRR.
Pharmacy issues Work with DoD and Congress to maintain a comprehensive uniform pharmacy ben- efit with a robust formulary that preserves beneficiary options to obtain specific pharmaceuticals determined necessary by their providers. Promote positive incen- tives (e.g., reduce or eliminate mail-order copayments) for TRICARE beneficiaries to use the less-expensive mail-order system. MOAA will strive to maximize beneficiary choice, minimize beneficiary
costs, and help educate beneficiaries and providers to make the best use of the vari- ous TRICARE pharmacy options.
Pretax health care premium payments/FSAs Continue to pursue DoD implementation of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to allow active duty and Selected Reserve members to pay out-of-pocket health care and de- pendent care expenses with pretax dollars. Authorize pretax payment of TRICARE Prime enrollment fees and premiums for TRICARE supplemental, long term care, and TRICARE dental insurance. FSAs and pretax premium payments are a standard part of virtually all other federal and pri- vate-sector benefit packages, and military beneficiaries should have the same options.
VA/DoD collaboration Full funding of VA care is as important as that for defense programs. Future bud- gets must properly account for expected long-term health and mental health care needs of the rising numbers of injured and disabled servicemembers from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as veterans serving in earlier conflicts. DoD and the VA need to strengthen their collaborative efforts in delivering long-term medical and nonmedical counseling and support services for survivors and families of the severely injured. MOAA will continue to be watchful against any new initiative to force dual-eligible beneficiaries to choose between the DoD and VA health care sys- tems for the government’s budgetary and program planning convenience. Additionally, women are joining the mili- tary in higher numbers than at any other time in our nation’s history. DoD and the VA must step up their efforts to increase capac- ity and continue to improve medical, mental health, and service capabilities to meet the unique needs of this population.
JANUARY 2012 MILITARY OFFICER 43
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